If you are injured on someone else’s property you may be entitled to compensation under a theory of premises liability. In order to succeed on this theory it must be proven that the owner of the property was negligent If the property owner’s negligence causes you injury, it is important to contact an experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyer immediately, to ensure you can preserve the proper evidence to succeed with your case.
Premises Liability Law
Under Missouri Law, a landowner has a duty to maintain the property in such a manner as not to create an unreasonable risk of harm to others. This includes making sure there is no dangerous conditions on the property. If there is a dangerous condition, that the owner knew or should have known about, they have a duty to warn others or barricade the danger. If they fail, and someone is injured, they should be held responsible. In any premises liability case, one must determine the status of the visitor. The status of the visitor is generally defined as an “invitee,” a “licensee,” or a “trespasser.” Determining the status of the visitor then determines the duty of the property owner. Here is how these are defined in Missouri premises liability lawsuits:
- a. Invitee – A person who enters the premises of another in accordance with the possessor’s express or implied invitation and for some purpose of real benefit to the possessor or for the mutual benefit of the both.
- b. Licensee – One who enters the premises of another for his or her own purposes and with the permission, express or implied, of the possessor.
- c. Trespasser – One who enters onto the property of another without a privilege to do so created by the possessor’s consent or otherwise.
Under premises liability law in Missouri, once it is determined that a person is an “invitee,” the possessor is under a duty to use reasonable care to ensure its premises are safe for visitors and free from defects.
Contact St. Louis premises liability attorney Tony Bruning today for a free case evaluation about your Missouri premises liability case at 618-212-0052.
